HappyHappyDonut

It had been a long time since my last missive, and so I was looking forward to bringing you the latest and greatest. Especially, seeing as how it had started out as a good week of sorts, what with my first class in the MSc, a relaxing long weekend with HCW. I was even beginning to feel that I was getting on top of things again, getting my energy back. (At the price of ignoring a lot of other responsibilities...oops)

However, the week ended poorly and quite sadly. First, another down in the ups and downs of the tragicomedy that is known as my job. The incompetence of one continuing to be my bane. That was Thursday.

Another event on Thursday, which I was only to learn on Friday morning through a saddened phone call from my wife, was the tragic passing of a good friend. He died while practicing a sport he loved—windsurfing—in the horrible conditions of the remnants of this week's hurricane. He leaves behind his 3 year old daughter and his girlfriend and their 5 month–old unborn baby. Needless to say, we were, and still are, both floored. Our sadness for his passing is joined by our sadness for her and her two children, both of who are at the start of very long journeys.

Vincent, who I knew through my wife's good friendship with his girlfriend, Annie, was someone whose company I enjoyed immensely. Both he and his girlfriend were guests at are small wedding. Through them, HCW™ discovered the joys of camping and snowboarding, passions that we have gone to share with each other.

He and I were similar too in that we always had a smile and would often be laughing. We both particularly enjoyed making our better halves smile, and that by all means necessary. (Though never sure, we always hoped they would appreciate us for it.)

Though he was 3 years younger than me, he experienced the joys of fatherhood relatively early on. I thought he did a particularly good job of it—he was loving and patient—and was hoping that, when my chance finally came, I would be able to do as good as him.

I would like to go one more about Vincent and his passing. but I find it quite difficult.

My experience with death is not only limited–only 4 funerals in my 34 years–but quite rusty, leaving me rather ill–prepared and speechless for a tragedy so close to me. It has been 15 since someone I really knew well—the brother of my best friend—passed away, and close to 20 since I lost a close family member. Since then, I have been to a total of 2 funerals for family members of friends.

That being said, I know we will get through this. One always does. Together with our friends and their families, we will also find a way to be there for Annie and her children. Life has to go on.